Recovery- the second time around

October 18, 2011 by · 7 Comments

After Brayden’s somewhat traumatic (to me) entry into the world, I was very, very skeptical about having another C-section at first. But in the same right, scared out of my mind to have a VBAC. I have a short torso, so my doctor was worried about the amount of scar tissue that could have made having a VBAC an issue. So, we settled on a scheduled C-section at 39 weeks and I prayed for the best.

The morning of Kenley’s birth, I was a nervous wreck. I wanted to know exactly what was going to happen, when it was going to happen, and how it was going to happen. I wanted to be alert during the procedure and I wanted to see her when she came out. That was it. I had talked with my doctor extensively about this and she assured me that this time would be much better than last time.

She was right.

She came in and gave me a final vote of confidence and a hug before heading to the OR. Once I got in there, I was shaking because it was so cold in there and because I was so nervous. The nurse that was with me was amazing- she held me still while I got the spinal and after that, things happened very quickly. When Brandon came in to sit next to me, he told me this was going to be fine, we were going to have a daughter very soon!

I started to feel a little nauseous so they gave me some Zofran through the IV, and then I felt great. Pretty soon, I hear the doctor say that she was almost out, and I was like really? I didn’t feel A THING. And I was awake! I remember everything!

After being in recovery for an hour, we were wheeled to our room where I was monitored pretty closely for awhile. I felt really good, and then itchy. One of the after effects of the spinal can make you itchy, so I was given some Nubain (my bff) and felt great. Brayden came to visit, and then I slept for a little while. Early the next morning, almost 24 hours later, the IV and catheter came out and I walked (shuffled) to the bathroom and put on real clothes. This was TOTALLY different than last time. I was able to get up and go to the restroom, but I was careful to not do more than that.

I felt great. And coming home I felt great. It’s hard to feel this good physically and still remember that internally, I am still healing. I am trying to take it easy, but it’s tough. I feel like I need to keep the pace I was keeping at home. Brandon has been working some pretty long days, and I hate asking him to do more when he comes home. We talked about it and he knows that I am recovering too, so we are just tag teaming as much as possible!

I even remember telling Brandon after I was out of recovery that I could probably do this again- not for awhile- but it would be doable! Only time will tell. For now, I am just busy cuddling my daughter and wrangling my son, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Filed Under: Baby #2, birth story ·

Kenley’s Arrival: Part Two

October 14, 2011 by · 1 Comment

After holding Kenley for the first time, the nurses gave her a bath, and then we all headed into our postpartum room. The hospital I delivered at has a brand new birthing unit, and we were VERY impressed.

I couldn’t wait for Brayden to come visit! He was on his way and I had my expectations set pretty low. I didn’t know how he would react since I was still hooked up to an IV. Good thing I kept my expectations pretty low because he was NOT impressed. Not at all. He didn’t want to see his sister, really wanted nothing to do with me, and only wanted to go back out into the hallway. My mom said not to worry- that it was a lot for him to take in, and that he had been just fine at her house. They were going to come back that evening with my dad.

Well, that evening wasn’t much better. We had a TON of visitors that evening, and Brayden must have been overwhelmed. I again, was worried, but figured we would give it another day. After his speech therapy on Wednesday morning, my mom brought him back down. At this point I didn’t have the IV anymore and I was dressed in my regular clothes (YAY!) so I had higher hopes. Boy, was I wrong. He didn’t even want to kiss or hug me goodbye when they left, and after the door closed, I sat in the hospital bed and just bawled.

My mom decided not to bring him back down until Thursday, and it was like he was an entirely different child.

 

Did you not just melt into a puddle? He was so worried about her having her paci and it was SO cute. He kissed me goodbye and I couldn’t wait to get home the following day so we were all together in the same place.

Filed Under: Baby #2, birth story, Kenley ·

Kenley’s Arrival- Part One

October 13, 2011 by · 7 Comments

I can’t even tell you how glad I am that Kenley is here! I was so nervous Tuesday morning when we drove up to the hospital. My previous experience with a C-section left me very anxious and I was so scared it would be like that again. I wanted to be alert this time, to see my baby girl when they held her up, and hold her as soon as I was in recovery. Didn’t seem like much, but to me, this was the most important.

We checked in to the hospital at 5:15am , walked up to the new OB department, and got settled in. They hooked me up to the IV, monitor (hello contractions that were 3-6 minutes apart!) and told me what was going to happen next.

Around 7, the nurse walked me into the OR and I got up on the table for my spinal. I was so nervous, I was shaking so bad- not to mention it was COLD in there! Once the spinal was in, things happened very fast. I couldn’t feel a thing, Brandon was on his way in, and we were minutes from seeing Kenley for the very first time. I was able to talk through the entire thing. I heard a nurse say “here comes her head!” and I was like seriously? Already? Like I said, couldn’t feel a thing.

At 7:30am, I heard the sound I had been waiting for this entire time- her cry when she was delivered. Tears instantly started streaming down my face. She was finally here! We had a daughter. And I was awake to see her over the curtain.

And she is perfect. At 7 pounds, 8 ounces, and 19 inches long- she was one ounce lighter and 1/2 inch shorter than Brayden. They look so similar to me as newborns, it is almost scary, but I see a little bit more of Brandon in Kenley. As soon as they held her up for me to see, I said “you look just like your big brother”. And then it hit me. My son was a big brother. More tears of joy, more smiles towards my husband. We did it.

After they got her wiped off and the APGAR scores, the took her to recovery to monitor her. After I was all put back together, I was also wheeled into recovery. By 8:05am, I was on the phone to my parents. And at 8:15, I got to hold her for the very first time.

Part Two coming soon! :)

Filed Under: Baby #2, birth story, Kenley ·

She’s Here!

October 6, 2011 by · 6 Comments

 

Kenley Ann

October 4th, 2011

7 pounds, 8 ounces, 19 inches long.

She is absolutely perfect and we are so in love. The c-section went so much better this time around. 24 hours after, I was dressed in real clothes and getting out of bed almost by myself. I got to shower last night, and we had a good night with Kenley as well.

She looks just like Brayden did when he was born, but also shows a little more resemblance towards her daddy. We are in love.

Lots more to come!

 

 

Filed Under: Baby #2 ·

Reflecting

September 27, 2011 by · 6 Comments

I have made the comment before to Brandon that I don’t remember what life was like without Brayden. What did we DO all of the time? It’s just so weird to think about what life was like before him. And now I am starting to wonder what life will be like when his sister arrives next week.

One week.

7 days.

One week left as a family of three, as a mama of one outside the womb. One week of being able to go for a drive in Brandon’s truck, just the 3 of us. One week left of nothing but Brayden snuggles. One week left of sleeping (somewhat) through the night. One week left of chocolate, pasta, and spicy food.

One week.

7 days.

Life will never be the same. And maybe in a few weeks I will start to wonder what life was like without her…

 

 

Filed Under: Baby #2, family, life as a mom ·

37 Weeks

September 25, 2011 by · 3 Comments

 

 

How far along?: 37w2d (photo taken at 37w) FULL TERM!
How big is baby?: According to BabyCenter, 6 1/3 pounds and close to 19 inches long.
Weight gain/loss?: up 8 for the whole.
Stretch marks?: Not that I know of!
Maternity clothes?: Yes.
Sleep?: Hit or miss. I made a new personal best the other night by getting up 7 times to go to the bathroom. I even quit drinking water by 7:30pm!
Food cravings?: anything spicy!
Gender?: We are having a girl!
Movement?: Yes! And those jabs are getting somewhat painful. And they are affecting my bladder.
Belly button?: I officially have an outie. My hubs thinks its gross. I don’t want to talk about it.
What are you looking forward to this week?: I managed to squeeze in one more photo shoot for the weekend, and we are supposed to be getting together with some friends.

No progress at the doctor. She is just content as ever in there, with a strong heartbeat of 152. She knows her eviction date is set, but I couldn’t help but want just a little bit of progress! I did go ahead and get my flu shot while I was there. I have never had one before, but with a newborn at home this winter, I just really thought I should go ahead and get one. Jury is still out on whether Brayden will get one.

I go back to the doctor next Thursday, then over to the hospital for some blood work and the rest of my pre-registration stuff, and then 5 days later? Baby girl will finally be here.

 

Filed Under: Baby #2 ·

Nursery Reveal

September 22, 2011 by · 4 Comments

Were you all wondering where my nursery progress was? Well, I am happy to say that it is 98% done! Woo! So here are some photos…

This is the view from the door. Thanks to my wide angle lens, this pretty much captures the entire room! The swing will eventually make it’s way out into the living room, but for now, it stays out of the way in here.

View from the window. The drawers need a little more organizing, but for the most part, it’s all done!

The table is the antique one that I got from my aunt. It still needs the drawer pull put on. The rattles on the table came with a couple of blankets that I bought. Brayden likes to take them off the table and run away with them. It starts early!

A close up of the pictures on the wall. I ordered them from Etsy. The first one says “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine” and the other one says “You make me happy when skies are gray.” I fell in love with these and knew they would be perfect in baby girl’s room!

The sign above the crib says “No one else will ever know the strength of my love for you…after all, you’re the only one who knows what my heart sounds like from the inside.”  I saw this saying on a Pinterest board somewhere, and had a friend of ours paint it on the sign for us. I am in LOVE with it.

That’s about it! Her closet is full, almost to the brim, with stuff all the way to 2T. I hit quite a few garage sales this summer, so she is in pretty good shape! Her bag for the hospital is packed and ready to go as well. Phew! I can’t believe she will be here so SOON!

Filed Under: Baby #2, home decorating ·

I have officially hit crazy.

September 13, 2011 by · 2 Comments

3 weeks to go, and my poor husband thinks that I have boarded the first train to crazy town.

No joke.

Over the weekend, we went to see my bff and her hubby for the afternoon, and when we got home from a very relaxing time there, I started a cleaning spree. After picking up the house, doing up the stray dishes, and tending to some laundry, I asked Brandon if we could rearrange the living room furniture. On a total whim. I told him what I wanted to do (move the recliner by the fireplace so I can rock baby girl by the fire this winter- no lie) and he said he didn’t think I would like it that way. BUT since I sort of insisted, he agreed, and we got to work.

I mean, he did, and I supervised and dusted all the furniture as he was moving it.

And when we got done, we wondered why we didn’t have it arranged like this in the first place!

Ignore the crappy cell phone photo and the vacuum- but doesn’t it look cozy? Brandon even agrees that he likes it better this way. But he also thinks I am crazy for all of the sudden wanting to move everything around.

Next up on my cleaning spree? Organize the clothes in my side of the closet by color and sleeve length (yep!) and clean our bathroom. Stay tuned.

Filed Under: Baby #2, random ·

35 Weeks!

September 8, 2011 by · 2 Comments

How far along?: 35w2d
How big is baby?: 5 1/4 pounds (the size of a honeydew melon) and 18 inches long!
Weight gain/loss?: up 7 for the whole. I looked in Brayden’s baby book and I weighed 168 pounds when I went to the hospital with him. If I gain 17 pounds in the next 3 weeks and 5 days? That’s going to be a problem!
Stretch marks?: This is a touchy subject this week as my husband found a couple very faint ones around my belly button. BUT since I can’t see them, I am just going to pretend that they aren’t there. Ignorance is bliss.
Maternity clothes?: Yes. Shirts are getting too short and I only have a select few pairs of pants. I am LOVING the change in temperature, but I hope it doesn’t get much colder yet!
Sleep?: Hit or miss. Between bathroom breaks and tossing and turning, I feel like I am up a LOT in the middle of the night.
Food cravings?: pizza, anything spicy, and chocolate. I couldn’t eat these things for quite awhile while I was nursing, so I am eating them now while I still can!
Gender?: We are having a girl!
Movement?: Yes! And those jabs are getting somewhat painful.
Belly button?: I officially have an outie. My hubs thinks its gross. I don’t want to talk about it.
What are you looking forward to this week?: I had my doctor appointment yesterday and that went well. I have most of my pre-registration done for the hospital, I just have to go in the week before and do the blood work and all that jazz. She checked me- nothing happening. Baby girl is happy in there, and I hope she stays put until her eviction date. I got her bag packed for the hospital (for the most part) and I am busy getting the rest of her room done and clothes washed.

Baby girl is getting awfully snug in there, so the somersault actions she was doing are coming to a halt. But her jabs are pretty powerful, I won’t lie. She has the insane talent of being able to move my entire stomach in one single swoop. I am waddling quite a bit in the evenings due to just muscle pain. I seriously can’t fathom being pregnant for almost 4 more weeks, but I am just trying to soak up Brayden as much as possible. I think he is getting excited about his baby sister!

Filed Under: Baby #2 ·

Family Photos

September 7, 2011 by · 5 Comments

My talented friend Laura once again did our family photos, and I could not be more thrilled with them! Brayden lost interest pretty fast, but she was able to get some great photos. As huge as I feel, I know I will treasure these for a lifetime. I can’t wait to do more photos once our baby girl arrives!

Filed Under: Baby #2, photography ·
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